Veterans must pay to park but it’s free if you’re on benefits

DISABLED war veterans have been told they must pay for ­hospital parking – while those on benefits can park for free.

Hartlepool has decided that while people receiving unemployment benefits are excused []

Now former servicemen are considering a vehicle blockade protest against North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust because of the fees, which range between £3 and £4.

Charges for disabled people parking in NHS hospital grounds were introduced nationwide on January 1 but the terms remain up to individual trusts.

North Tees and Hartlepool has decided that while people receiving unemployment benefits are excused the payments at Hartlepool hospital, people with a Ministry of Defence disability pension after being injured serving their country must fork out.

Disabled former RAF Wing Commander and surgeon Derek Hall, 61, said: “It is a kick in the backside for people who have put their lives on the line. It refers to all veterans – irrespective of age.

“Yet there are smaller notices on the site informing people on the dole, income support tax credits – you name it – that they are exempt.”

We have £40million to save and naturally we want to preserve frontline services and jobs as far as possible

North Tees and Hartlepool Trust Chief Executive Alan Foster

Dr Hall, a director of the Hull-based National Gulf Veterans’ and Families’ Association, suffers more than a dozen disabilities after being called up for service in the first Gulf War in 1991.

He is regularly treated for his problems at two hospitals run by other trusts, Sunderland Eye Infirmary and the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. At these hospitals he can park his car for free.

He said he found out about the new rules at Hartlepool when he arrived for a appointment – and had no change.

He said: “We live in an age when the Prime Minister is forever banging the drum about showing more respect to veterans and here we are seeing disabled service veterans kicked in the teeth.”

Tory MP for Stockton South James Wharton said: “Charges for parking raise income for ­hospitals. But they should not be raising revenue off the backs of the disabled, particularly not ­disabled war veterans.”

North Tees and Hartlepool Trust Chief Executive Alan Foster said: “We have £40million to save and naturally we want to preserve frontline services and jobs as far as possible. We are faced with stark choices.”